Dont'a Hightower joins the Patriots as a first-time coach leading the inside linebackers. The move to coaching comes after a nine-year playing career with the Patriots (2012-19, 21). He officially retired as a player in March of 2023.
Hightower was a linebacker for the Patriots for nine seasons. He played in 117 games with 114 starts and recorded 569 tackles, 27 sacks, 18 passes defensed and one interception. As a three-time Super Bowl champion, he was selected to the New England Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team and earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2016 and 2019 seasons. He was voted a four-time team captain in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021.
Hightower made two Super-Bowl altering plays during his career and was part of a record-setting performance in another. Former head coach Bill Belichick referred to Hightower as "Mr. February" at the team's Super Bowl LIII ring ceremony.
In Super Bowl XLIX vs. Seattle, Hightower made a crucial tackle on Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch at the 1-yard line the play before CB Malcolm Butler intercepted Seattle QB Russell Wilson to seal the victory in the waning moments.
New England trailed the Atlanta Falcons, 28-12, midway through the fourth quarter when Hightower strip-sacked Falcons QB Matt Ryan at the Atlanta 25-yard line. The fumble was recovered by the Patriots and the turnover led to a touchdown that helped spark the record comeback in Super Bowl LI.
Hightower recorded two sacks and a pass defensed as part of a stifling defense that became the second team in Super Bowl history to hold its opponent to just three points in the Super Bowl LIII win over the Rams.
Hightower was originally drafted by New England in the first round (25th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was re-signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on March 16, 2017.
Hightower attended Alabama where he started 42-of-44 games – 26 at weak-side linebacker and 16 at middle linebacker and helped the team to two National Championships. He recorded 234 tackles (101 solos), including five sacks for minus 30 yards, 21 stops for losses of 67 yards and 25 quarterback pressures. Also had a pair of forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, seven pass deflections, a 29-yard interception return and a blocked kick.
Hightower was born Qualin Dont'a Hightower on March 12, 1990. He majored in general studies at Alabama. Hightower and his wife, Morgan, have one son, Grayson.
